Gandhi (1982)

Partition was the best thing to happen to India

This is like what others have said, a great movie about a great soul.

I also want to point out something to think about.

IMO, Partition was the best thing that happened to India. Obviously not the way it happened. It would have been good if Gandhi and Nehru had not resisted Jinnah's request to partition.

Imagine if there was no partition. The 200 million Pakistani Muslims, the 140 Mil Bangala Desi Muslims and the 200 Indian Million Muslims would have made 450 Million Muslims in India. In about another 20 years, Indua would have been an Islamic nation.

There has never been a pluralistic secular Muslim majority country with justice and liberty for all. One exception, Turkey. Thats cause, they had to reject their religion in the realm of Politics and this was done ruthlessly by Ataturk.

Hinduism has no religious compulsion to tyrannize others politically. I cannot say the same thing about Islam.

Although the vast majority of Indian Muslims are secular in their politics (They are a large...but a minority group), once they are a Majority, I do not trust the few secular liberals can resist the temptation of the Islamic majority to do what they do when they are the majority. Find out what %age of Pakistanis were Hindus in 1947 and what happened to this Hindu people in Pakistan? Where are they today? What is the %age of Hindus living in Pakistan today?

Gandhi looked at others using his own standards. That's a losing proposition when others are scoundrals. And Nehru learned this lesson the hard way, As the first Prime Minister of India, he trusted the Chinese and got run over by them and lost Indian land to the Chinese. The Chinese have the Sun Tzu's "Art of war" mentality. And I would wager Nehru was ignorant about that.

As a Spiritual and moral light, Gandhi was right. But as a political leader, he would not cut it. July 20, 2008

Gandhi (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)

I purchased this title for our social justice learning group to view. It was every bit as good as I remembered it from the big screen. What I can't believe is that it has been more than 25 years since its release. No doubt this film was the apex of Ben Kingsley's career. As a model for teaching the power of non-violent resistance, this film is unparalleled. June 19, 2008

Superb story of perhaps the world's greatest human being

Ben Kingsly was Gandhi, in appearance, in demeanor, in manner. His greatest role as the world's greatest leader and humanitarian. This movie should be seen by everyone. It is a beautifully made film about India, about Indians, about human beings, and last of all about Mahatma Gandhi, the inspiration to billions. June 15, 2008

Tragic Epic of a Great Leaader -- A Masterpiece

I've used this film regularly for discussing charismatic transformational leadership with my business school students. The acting is incredible, the story monumental, and the dialogue and imagery unforgettable. Despite its length, I've watched more than a dozen times, and will continue to learn from it each time I watch it.

Aneil May 17, 2008

Beautifully Done

Beautifully shot and wonderful storytelling. Helps to teach the concept of passive resistance over violence to enact change in governments, society, and even the current youth culture. Excellent for opening the minds of those who are absolutely clueless and are not necessarily taught about choice and responsibility at home. April 6, 2008

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